PATRICK VIEIRA says he is disappointed not to have received an invitation to work at Arsenal when his playing career came to an end.

Vieira is currently in charge of Manchester City's elite development squad having headed to the Etihad when his playing days came to an end at Inter Milan.

Vieira has been linked with the first-team job at City if Manuel Pellegrini is let go at the end of the season, and reports yesterday suggest that Marseille could move for the 38-year-old as a replacement for Marcelo Bielsa.

But Vieira remains hurt that - unlike Thierry Henry - he wasn't contacted by Arsene Wenger to take up a role at the Emirates.

He told French magazine L'Equipe: "Everywhere I go, people say that to me.

"It was out of the question for me to put myself forward. Why would I have done?

It was a disappointment for me, both from the club but also Arsene.

Patrick Vieira

"When I stopped playing, I had an offer from City, and I didn't get a call from Arsene.

"If he had wanted me to work with him, he would have asked me. It was a disappointment for me, both from the club but also Arsene.

"I gave a lot to Arsenal, and the club and Arsene gave me a lot too."

Vieira distanced himself from the City job but admitted he remained open to working in France, with his current contract expiring in the summer.

He added: "There is a manager in place [at City] so I am not asking myself that question.

"I will soon talk to my bosses. Our relationship is excellent, and I feel very good at the club. Why not continue to flourish with the youth team?"I don't say 'No' to France. There are a lot of great players in France.

"I love Marco Verratti, the best player in Ligue 1 by far. There's also Nabil Fekir, who's really very good.

"Actually, I have asked Jean-Michel Aulas if I can go to Lyon to learn about their youth academy policy.

"In fact, I have not set myself a place nor an age: 38, 45... It doesn't matter."